The KY Headhunter Songs Ranked
The Kentucky Headhunters are a unique blend of country rebels, rockers, and blues players who refuse to be boxed into one musical category. Rising from the ashes of classic rockers Itchy Brother in the mid-80s, lead singer Ricky Lee Phelps, guitarist Greg Martin, rhythm guitarist Richard Young, bassist Doug Phelps, and drummer Fred Young quickly made a name for themselves with their debut album Pickin’ on Nashville. The album, including their top 10 hit cover of “Oh, Lonesome Me,” won a Grammy and two CMA awards. We breakdown the best Kentucky Headhunters songs!
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Not to be pinned down to one sound, the Kentucky Headhunters songs mix sarcastic humor with heartfelt grit. While hits like “Chug-a-Lug” and “Redneck Girl” show their country and rockabilly influence, the band also pays tribute to their roots with covers like “Blue Moon of Kentucky.”
Despite lineup changes, the band continued to put out quality albums, including their blues album That’ll Work with Chuck Berry pianist Johnnie Johnson. “Little Queenie” is one standout track from this collaboration. Other notable songs include the funky “My Daddy Was a Milkman,” the country-infused “Rock & Roll Angel,” and the ballad “Walk Softly on this Heart of Mine.”
The band’s undeniable talent might have hindered their commercial success, with such a diverse range of influences and sounds. However, their memorable original composition “Dumas Walker” taught the country about a small-town marbles-playing tavern owner in rural Kentucky and helped propel them to Grammy and CMA wins. The Kentucky Headhunters are a one-of-a-kind blend of music and wit that can’t be pigeonholed. Checkout these Kentucky Headhunters songs and see for yourself!
So throw on your Country Shit Shirt or Meemaw Tried Tshirt and crank up the jukebox to the songs we’ve outlined below!
Best Songs
14. Little Queenie (with Johnnie Johnson)
Back in ’93, the band dropped a blues album called “That’ll Work.” They hooked up with Johnnie Johnson – a blues player and pianist for Chuck Berry. The two joined forces again ten years later for their second blues rock masterpiece, “Meet Me in Bluesland.” This album was loaded with sweet tracks like “Stumblin’,” “King Rooster,” and “Superman Blues.”
13. Chug-a-Lug
The band couldn’t decide on which era or sound to follow and it showed in their cover tunes. Their rendition of Roger Miller’s classic hit seemed to borrow a bit of Johnny Rivers’ “Memphis, Tennessee” vibe to kick it off.
12. Redneck Girl
If you’re looking for a musical mash-up of wild rockabilly and modern country à la Brooks & Dunn, then this is your jam! While it might not be as offbeat as some of the other tunes on the playlist, it still packs a punch. And if you’re craving even more rockabilly vibes, add “Dixie Fried” to your must-listen list!
11. Rock & Roll Angel
The Headhunters weren’t just sticking to rock and country for their Pickin’ On Nashville album cut. They decided to spice things up with some South of the Border flavor inspired by the great Marty Robbins. The result? A unique sound that you won’t want to miss.
10. My Daddy Was a Milkman
With bass playing that leaves most funk-rockers in the dust, Phelps takes jokes about kids who bear a striking resemblance to the neighborhood milkman to a whole new level of uncouthness. Get ready to bust a gut and shake a tail feather to this funky beat.
9. The Ballad of Davy Crockett
Back in the day of their Electric Barnyard album, the band honored a legendary folk hero from Tennessee and Texas. They even threw in a coonskin cap to radio stations that received promo copies of that sweet tune.
8. Honky Tonk Walkin
Experience a musical delight as the worlds of boogie-woogie southern rock, Ernest Tubb, and Travis Tritt collide to create unforgettable barroom anthems.
7. Take Me Back
“Take Me Back” is a song that reminisces on a simpler life and times spent fishing, singing gospel songs with family and friends, and enjoying the beauty of nature.
6. Chitlin Time
If the video alone for “It’s Chitlin Time” wasn’t enough for this Kentucky Headhunter song to make then list, then watch it again..
5. Crazy Jim
Richard and the band found inspiration for their breezy blues ballad, “Crazy Jim,” from a real-life character by the same name. According to legend, Crazy Jim would wander the streets doling out rocks to passersby, claiming they would bring riches. Though many laughed, Jim believed that they would bring spiritual abundance, not just material wealth. The story of Crazy Jim left an unforgettable mark on the band, resulting in a soulful song about the true meaning of fortune.
4. Only Daddy That’ll Walk The Line
“Only Daddy That’ll Walk the Line” had some serious country roots, y’all. Penned by Jimmy Bryant, this tune was first laid down by Jim Alley. But it was Waylon Jennings who made it really sing.
Then in ’91, those bad boys from The Kentucky Headhunters took a stab at it. They rocked it so hard that they released it as a single off of their album Electric Barnyard. It may have only hit number 60, but it hung tough on the charts for a respectable seven weeks. Gotta love a classic tune that just won’t quit, right?
3. Oh, Lonesome Me
It was quite an adventure for the band when they seamlessly blended the styles of original songwriter Don Gibson with the legendary rock band Dire Straits. It was a county cover like no other.
2. Walk Softly on this Heart of Mine
The sound of a group of Kentuckians strumming their instruments to Bill Monroe’s tunes is downright delightful, especially on the inaugural track of Pickin’ On Nashville.
1. Dumas Walker
The band’s hit song about a marbles-playing tavern owner in rural Kentucky was a game-changer. Despite its regional origins, it became a nationwide phenomenon and helped secure multiple Grammy and CMA victories. It was an irresistible smash hit that captured the nation’s attention and made the band household names.
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